Method of making refrigerator cabinets



De 18, 1951 L. A. PHILIPP 2,579,395

METHOD OF MAKING REFRIGERATOR CABINETS Original Filed April 5, 1946 2 Sl'lEETS--SHEET l /r--T 46 @a f6 I 3g' 4 mmvrox. La memos H PHILIPP BY i 6a v90 Mxvm@ Dec. 18, 1951 1 A. .PHILIPP METHOD oF MAKING REFRIGERATOR CABINETs 2 SI-IEETS-SHEET 2 Original Filed April 3, 1946 IN1/Emol;

Amm/CEA Ham/PP Patented Dec. 18, j 1951 METHOD or MAKING REFRIGERATOR CABINETS LaWrenceiA. Philipp, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Nash-Kelvinator Corporation, corporation of Maryland originar application April Detroit, Mich., a

s, 1946, serial l No.

i 659,254. Divided and this application July 31,

1947, Serial No. 765,173

This invention relates `to refrigerators, and, more. particularly, to an improved domestic refrigerator that can be fabricated economically to provide greater refrigerated volume at lower cost than 'has heretofore been possible.

The presentk application is a division of my copendingr application, Serial No. 659,254, filed April 3, 1946 for Refrigerating Apparatus, now Patent No.2,484,310 issued October 11, 1949.

It has been common practice in the refrigera tion art to provide inner and outer shells formed of sheet metal'suitably secured together. AThe inner shell is smaller than the outer shell to provide a space for insulating material betweenbthe inner andr outer shells. This type of construction has been relatively expensive because ofthe necessity of fabricating the inner'and outer shells of sheet material and' securing them together with the insulation in'place. It has, therefore, been impossible to provide Aa relatively large sized domestic refrigerator that could besold at prices within the Aeconomic range of many thousands of purchasers.

I have found-that refrigerators can be produced more economically by forming an outer shell or cabinet of sheet metal having inwardly directed vertically extending grooves to receive an inner liner in the form of a plastic shell adapted to be inserted and locked in place after insulation is positioned in the outer shell.

' An object of this invention resides in the development of an improved method of fabricating domestic refrigerators wherein an outer metallic shell is provided with spaced grooves to receive an inner shell formed ofplastic material spaced u.

3 Claims. (C1. 29--148.2)

from the outer shell 4to form an insulation space therebetween.

A further object'of the invention resides in the provision'of a domestic refrigerator that can be fabricated economically of an outer metallic shell having spaced channels to receive a plastic liner to define a'food storage compartment.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide-a domesticrefrigerator capable of `economical fabrication ,tov provide anv outer shell capable of functioning -as arefrigerant heat dissipating condenser element, and an inner shell formed of non-conducting material to improve the heat insulating characteristic of the refrigerator.v

Another object ofthe invention resides in the development of an improved method of positioning a liner in a metallic refrigerator cabinet and securing the liner in place to provide a space for insulationbetween the liner and cabinetand to define a food storage compartment.-

' on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2,

Other objectsA and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, submitted for purposes of illustration only and not intended to define the scope of the invention, reference being had for that purpose to the subjoined claims.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a domestic refrigerator embodying this invention with the access door removed;

Fig. 2 is a vertical view in cross section taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, with the access door shown in elevation;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. l4 is a diagrammatic illustration of the re'- frigerating system of the refrigerator; and

Figs. 5, 6, '7 and 8 are isometric views of parts `of the cabinet arranged to illustrate the order and manner of their assembly.

Before explaining in detail the present invention it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, it will lbe observed that a domestic refrigerator is formed oan outer shell ID having interconnected back, side, top and bottom walls I2, I4, I6 and I8, respectively. The bottom wall I8 includes an upwardly extending angular portion I9. The side, top andY bottom walls I4, I6 and I8 are reversely contoured, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, to provide spaced oppositely directed channels 20 acting as guides to receive outwardly extended flanges 22 and 48 of an inner liner 24, preferably formed of non-conducting material.

The liner 24 may be formed in any suitable manner, as by a plastic molding or forming operation, to provide interconnected back, side, top and bottom walls 26, 28, 30 and 32, respectively, spaced from and extending parallel with the walls I2, I4, I6, I8 and I9 of the outer shell I0 to provide an insulation space therebetween.

The walls oftheliner 24 maybeeontoured with tially at right angles thereto contoured, asil-n lustrated at 38, to provide the oppositely disposed vertically extending channels 28 to `receive the flanges 22 of the liner 24. The contoured section defining the channels extends substantially parallel with the side wallsl4 of the cabinet for a short distance, as illustrated at 40, to provide desired width of 'the-'channel 2D to re# ceive the outwardly extended ilanges `22 of the side members 28 of the inner shell 2,4. The contoured portion 48 preferably contacts the router walls I4 to providewamore-grigid and stronger structure. The sheet I4 :isagain contoured to provide a substantially right angle surface extending generally parallel with .the ange 38, as illustrated at 42, to overlie a portion of the outwardly extending lian-ge 22 of the liner 24 to extend beyond the inwardly directed flange 38 of the outer shell or cabinet.

Suitable fastening means, such, for example, as screws or rivets 44, may be projected through the outwardly extended anges'22 ofthe inner shell 24 to project through the flange 42 Vof the outer shell or cabinet as illustrated to secure the inner and outer .shells together.

The top panel I8 of the outer shell I8 is contoured in a similar manner, as illustrated at 4S, to provide a channel to receive -an upwardly directed flange 48 formed integrally with the top surface 30 of the inner shell 24. The lov/er wall I8 of the outershell is also provided with :a contoured portion, as illustrated at 59 to provide a similar channel 20 to receive a downwardly extended iiange .52 carried by the lower surface 32 of the inner shell '24,

The back wall28 of the inner shell 24 is preferably contoured, as illustrated at 54, to provide an angularly inclined section extending across the rear of the cabinet parallel with angular wall section I9. Heat insulation 55, preferably in batt form, is disposed between angular liner section 54 and angular casing wall I9. The section I9 and side walls `cooperate to provide a mechanism compartmentv 55Vto receive Vand partially overlie a motor-compressor unit 58. A nue 59 is secured to theback wall I2 of the outer casing adjacent the mechanism compartment 55 to induce a flow of convection cooling air currents to dissipate heat from the motor-compressor unit 58.

With particular reference to Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8, my improved method of making a refrigerator cabinet vis as follows: The back, side and top walls I2, I4 and I6 of the outer shell I0, having the retainer structure 28, may be fabricated and ,secured together in any suitable manner, .as 'by welding. To the other'or rear edge of thecasing section I secure, such .as by Weldingoperatiw, the upper rear panel portion I2 and into the casing proper thus formed I rst place the heat insulation 34 against the sides, top and rear wall portion which insulation may be ofthe be?? type 4 or any suitable type which will hold its shape. Utilizing the one piece liner 24, the outturned side anges 36 thereof are engaged in the channels 20 at the bottom edges of the casing sides I4 and slid"n along the "channels until the liner upper Vflange 48 ,is Aproperly vengaged in the top channelV of the casing top wall. The liner 24 and the casing section are attached together by the screws 44 which extend through the liner side and top anges and screw thread into the casing anges. Panel I9 is then utilized to close the bottom of the casing,but prior to application of the panel,v vtheir;sulation 55 is positioned against the inclined rear-wall vof the liner or if desired,

the insulation 'may be vattached to the panel and with the/panel asa unit be attached to the casing. In either case, the retainer groove or channel 50 along the lower front edge of the panel I9 is engaged over the lower edge iiange 52 of the liner 24 and is attached in place, completing the box-likecasing and locking the linerin place. Then ,the panel I9 is attached to rear Ywall I2 `such as by welding and to the bottom edgeilange of the liner by the screws -,44. Thus,it-will lbe seen that by my'method.therefrigerator cabinet is readily assembled by simply inserting the one piece liner into the casingafter'rst placing insulation in the latter and then applying the bottom insulationand casing panel to complete nthe structure.

`An ice ,freezing compartment III may be porsi- `tioned in the space 'within the inner yshell 24 and be Vsecured thereto ,in any 4suitable manner. A plurality of spaced Ashelves I2 may be provided to divide the vspace Within the food Vstorage compartment within'the-innershell -24 beneath the ice freezingcompartment T0.

If desired, spaced drawers 14 having contoured back portions to align with :the/contoured Vportion 54 of the inner shell 24maybe provided'for the reception of "articles that cannot conveniently -be positioned on the shelves 12.

An access door 16, having an outermetal wall 18 and preferably Van inner -wall 80 preferably formed of non-conducting material, is hinged to one side of the outer sidewalls I4 .to close the food storage compartment. Suitable insulation may be interposed between thegdoorwalls ,'19 and to provide substantially equaldnsulation-surrounding the .entire foodstorage compartment.

A refrieerantcondenser is preferablyk formed of interconnected tubes .82 bonded in heatexchange relation with :the walls'ofthe outer shell I0 to use `the outergsurface of ,the-cabinet Vas a heat .dsspating member. .As illustrated. the tubes `82 -arebonded to the backand top walls of the shell I0. It will be understood vthat if .desired the refrigerantcondenser .and V,tubes may be bonded to all of the outer =walls -of the shell IIJ. 'Theficefreezing compartment I0V isy provided with arefrigerant evaporatorw84, Vas 'illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 4. The refrigeration cycle of this invention is as follows: p

Gaseous refrigerant is vwithdrawn from spaced headers 81B of the evaporator, and is directed through a conduit v88 vto the inlet side 4of the motor-compressor unit 58. The gaseous refrigerant is compressed by the motor-compressor unit 58 and is-discharged tothe refrigerant condenser 82 vbonded in heat exchange relation to the outer shell Aof lthe cabinet. As heat is dissipated from the compressed gaseous yrefrigerant it is convertedtothe liquid form Vand --passes through a strainer V`90 and a small diameter metering tube el. The liquid-refrigerant is `'then directed to the refrigerant evaporator 84 where it is again expanded and converted into the gaseous form absorbing heat from the surrounding atmosphere to provide the desired refrigerated effect.

Although only a, preferred form of the invention has been illustrated, and that form described in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appending claims.

I claim:

l. The method of making a refrigerator cabinet which comprises, forming sheet material into a cabinet section of opposite side walls, a connecting wall with said side walls and inwardly directed retainer grooves along one edge of the section, attaching a panel to the opposite edge of the section to form therewith a box-like casing proper open opposite the connecting Wall and opposite the panel, inserting insulation into the box-like casing proper, forming a one-piece boxlike liner having outturned flanges along opposite and adjacent sides, engaging the opposite side flanges of the liner respectively in opposite side grooves of the casing proper through the opening opposite the connecting wall and sliding the linerV into the casing inwardly of the insulation until the leading adjacent side ange engages in the retainer groove of the connecting wall, forming a casing panel with a retainer groove along one edge thereof, closing with insulation the opening opposite said connecting wall, and then attaching the panel to the casing proper with the panel groove receiving the other of the adjacent wall flanges to complete the casing and lock the liner thereto.

2. The method of making a refrigerator cabinet which comprises, forming sheet material into a cabinet section of opposite side walls, a connecting wall with said side walls and parallel extending inwardly directed anges with a groove therebetween along one edge of the section, attaching a panel to the opposite edge of the section to form therewith a box-like casing proper open opposite the connecting wall and opposite the panel, inserting insulation into the box-like casing proper, forming a one-piece box-like liner having outturned flanges along opposite and adjacent sides, engaging the opposite side flanges of the liner respectively in opposite side grooves of the casing proper through the opening opposite the connecting Wall and sliding the liner into the casing inwardly of the insulation until the leading adjacent side flange engages in the retainer groove of the connecting wall, forming a casing panel with a retainer groove along one edge thereof, closing with insulation the opening opposite said connecting wall, and then attaching the panel to the casing proper with the panel groove receiving the other of the adjacent wall flanges to complete the casing and lock the liner thereto.

3. The method of making a refrigerator cabinet which comprises, forming sheet material into a cabinet section of opposite side walls and one connecting wall with the side and connecting walls formed along one edge thereof with inwardly extending substantially parallel flanges forming inwardly directed grooves therebetween, attaching a p'anel to the opposite edge of the section to form therewith a box-like casing proper open opposite the connecting wall and opposite the panel, inserting insulation into the box-like casing proper, utilizing a one-piece box-like liner having outturned flanges along opposite and adjacent sides, engaging the opposite side flanges of the liner respectively in opposite side grooves of the casing proper through the opening opposite the connecting wall and sliding the liner into the casing inwardly of the insulation until the leading adjacent side flange engages in the retainer groove of the connecting wall, utilizing a casing panel formed with a retainer groove along one edge thereof, closing with insulation the opening opposite said connecting wall, and then attaching the panel to the casing proper with the panel groove receiving the other of the adjacent wall flanges to complete the casing and lock the liner thereto.

LAWRENCE A. PHILIPP.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,543,349 Walker June 23, 1925 1,733,758 Sealey Oct. 29, 1929 1,926,947 Hull Sept. 12, 1933 2,007,154 Bowes July 9, 1935 2,334,259 Gaulouze Nov. 16, 1943 2,426,055 Rundell Aug. 14, 1947 2,484,310 Philipp Oct. 11, 1949 

